Flood Victims Take 1st Steps To Federal Aid

July 23, 1993|By Steve Toloken.

Round Lake Beach — The waters have receded, and most of the sandbags in Lake County have long since been hauled away. But for many, the real work of cleaning up last month's flooding is just beginning.

The federal goverment's local disaster relief center opened in Round Lake Beach this week. More than 100 residents of the area who came into the center arrived at the office perplexed and worried, but some left feeling a little more hopeful.

"This is a lifesaver," said George Nabors, a North Chicago resident who said that three homes and an apartment building he owns there flooded twice in June. "I wasn't upset the first time, but when it happened again, that's when I got disgusted."

Nabors said he also had been flooded five years ago, but paid the $30,000 tab himself. This time, he said, the $100,000 price tag was simply too much.

For Lake and McHenry County residents like Nabors, the declaration of the area as a federal disaster area means basically one thing: there's a lot more money out there to help rebuild.

Judy Rearick, the manager of the Round Lake Beach Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, office, said the federal government generally provides 75 percent of the disaster relief money available.

And she said that the government doesn't set limits on how much relief money is available, so area residents shouldn't worry about applying and taking aid from someone who needs it more.

"No one is going to be denied aid because of budget problems in Washington," she said.

Federal officials estimated that more than 1,700 homes in the Round Lake area suffered flooding damage, and that more than 90 percent of them don't have flood insurance. Yet, said FEMA volunteer Walter Wilson, many people are reluctant to ask for help.

"Some people come in and are too proud to accept benefits," said Wilson, a Houston resident who is also a veteran of hurricanes Hugo and Andrew. "But I say to them, `You should accept this in the spirit it's intended, of temporary help.' "

The center is at the Round Lake Beach Village Hall, 224 W. Clarendon Ave., and will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday. It houses American Red Cross and government employees who give advice on getting government grants and low-interest loans, assistance with food stamps and unemployment, and tax advice. The FEMA folks process applications, but the actual money will be dispensed after inspectors view the damage.

Round Lake Beach resident Beth Ranier left the center Tuesday morning, clutching a wad of papers so thick that it looked like she had made every stop at the center.

"When the storm first hit, the Red Cross was out there right away with mops and cleaning supplies," she said. "I think this is all just terrific."